Pontoon



f tain'novel `features of construction,

Patented May 24, i927.

f UNITED STATES rzYDoR Grmiisownac,l or HOMESTEAD, PENNSYLVANIA.

` PONTOON.

Appiiation niedyoctober 15,155.26. seriai No. 141,837.

`which may be sunk practically full of water and when properly disposed is constructed so that an explosion may take place therein for forcing the water from the pontoon to make the same buoyant.

Another veryimportant'object'of the invention lies in the provision of a pontoon of this nature with an exceedingly simple vconstruction which will prove thoroughly reliable and efficient in operation, comparativelyv inexpensive to manufacture, strong and durable, and otherwise `well adapted to the purpose for which it is designed.

Vith the above and numerous other objects in view as will appear as the descrip` the pistons outwardly to the end, thereby K the invention resides in cerand in the combinationk and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the drawing: i

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through the pontoon embodying the features of my invention,

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through one end of the pontoon showing one of the pistons in an exploded position, e

Fig. 3 is a detail section through one of the pistons.

Referring to tion proceeds,

gated cylinder which is divided into two compartments by a central partition 6.

The cylinder is provided with openings 7 adjacent the partitions 6 having suitable vclosures 8 which are held in place'by fastening means 9 of any convenient type. Y Rings i v10 are provided with annular flanges 11 mounted adjacent the ends of the cylinder 5,

there being at least two and preferably four `casings 15 adjacent each end and these casings house spring-pressedcatches 16 which are normally held extended through openings 17 in the cylinder 5. The cylinder 5 is provided `With openings 18 between the rings 10 and the casing 15. Pistons 20 are slidable in the compartments of the cylinthe drawingin detail it will be seen that the numeral 5 denotesan elonder 5 and suitable packing rings 21 associated therewith. A'

In using this device the pistons 20 are located as shown in Figure 1, that is, adjacent the openings 7 so as to. form powder receiving compartments `between the parl titions 6 and the pistons. any otherl suitable explosive is packed or placed in these compartments as is apparent by the removal of the covers S. After the explosives have been stored in these compartments the covers are placed on again and the pontoon is ready to be sunk alongside of the vessel or the like. It will be seen that as the cylinder is immersed in the water the major portion thereof willy fill with water. Now in the compartments between the partitions 6 and the pistons 20 there may be located primed fusesor the like which will cause an explosion at the proper time, drive forcing ahead of them the water from the compartments r4and the piston will be caught by the catches 16 and held in the position clearly shown in Fig. 2. It will be seen that the buffer springs 111 will function when hit by the piston. If` desired, a closure plate 23 may be mounted at the end of the cylinders by attachment to the rings 10. Y Such a plate is shown in Figure 2. This plate, however, is not of the essence of the invention.

In using this pontoon, all openings are sealed before the same is placed in the water The powder, or'

in order tliatit will be buoyant so'as to be easily `towed to any point desired. When the pontoon is in proper position to be submerged,'these seals are removed, broken, or otherwise destroyed so that pontoon may sink as desired.

It is thought Ithat the construction, operation, and advantages of this invention will now be clearly understood Without a more detailed description thereof. Itis apparent that numerous changes in the details Vof construction, and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or scope of the ,invention as hereinafter yclaimed or sacrificing `any of its advantages. Having thus described my invention what I claim as new is: v

1 A pontoon of the class described including a hollow body, apiston slidable in the body, said body provided at one end with an opening and a closure therefor so that powder may be stored therein, buffer means at the other open end of the pontoon and catch means at said last-mentioned end.

2. A device of the class described including, in combination, a cylinder, a piston slidable in the cylinder, said cylinder havingan opening, a closureuassociated with said opening, other openings provided in the cylinder, and catch means adjacent the other openings. l

3. A device of the class described including, in combination, a cylinder, a piston slidable in the cylinder, said cylinder having' an opening, a closure associated with said opening, other openings provided in the cylinder', catch means adjacent the other openings, and buffer means adjacent said attachment.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

IZYDOR GREBOVIEC. 

